73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: Scooter on October 01, 2013, 09:44:51 pm

Title: Noisy creaking plastic door panel fix?
Post by: Scooter on October 01, 2013, 09:44:51 pm

Several months ago I installed   reproduction door panels in my '84 and am very annoyed by the constant squeeking/creaking/plasticy sounds they made when i hit bumps or my leg bumps them. Has anyone else experienced this? I've searched online and haven't found any other topics about this. I repainted the doors before installing and the best explanation I can think of is that the fresh hard plastic, when tightened against smooth paint, creaks and snaps when ever the panel moves from vibration or flexing. The crappy old sun-beaten original panels didn't make a sound even if I purposely pushed on them and flexed them.

I'm considering pulling them off and maybe lining the edges with glued on felt or dyna-mat or something to reduce the plastic to paint interface. I thought maybe after a couple months they would wear themselves in and maybe create bare spots in the paint at the pressure points and stop creaking, but after almost a year it's still annoying as ever. I used all the proper mounting hardware same as the way the originals were attached.

So what's your experience? Is there maybe another brand of panel that is made of less hard/brittle plastic or something that is not so noisy? I feel like I'm driving an early 90's Pontiac!

Title: Re: Noisy creaking plastic door panel fix?
Post by: jaredts on October 02, 2013, 06:56:17 am

Isn't there supposed to be self adhesive foam strip insulation attached to the inside of the door panel?

Title: Re: Noisy creaking plastic door panel fix?
Post by: mizozuman2 on October 02, 2013, 10:08:04 am

I haven't installed them before, but I'd figure there'd be foam stripping that comes with it, as Jaredts said. If not, you can go to your local Wal-Mart and pick up some Foam weather stripping of some sort. I'm sure that would suffice.


   -Mizo

Title: Re: Noisy creaking plastic door panel fix?
Post by: Captkaos on October 02, 2013, 06:43:31 pm

Are they Palco panels?

Title: Re: Noisy creaking plastic door panel fix?
Post by: bd on October 02, 2013, 07:59:01 pm

The foam strip tacked to the lower edge of the door panels is weatherstripping that helps control drafts, dust and moisture that works past the liner sealing the door inner shell. 

Try rubbing bar soap around the lip of the plastic panel where it contacts the door shell.  Good, non-abrasive bar soap contains fats that will lubricate the plastic and decrease the friction developed between the offending parts.  It's worth a try before swapping out the panels.